Chapter Ten
Jean-Luc got out of bed, not caring if he woke Beverly or not and quickly headed for the door, not bothering to retrieve his clothes from the floor. Jean-Luc took one quick furious look back at her. She slept, looking very much the part of an angel. An angel he now knew that she was not. He had to get away from her, as far a way as possible, before he wrapped his hands around her neck.
He left her room and headed for his own. He put on some clothes and threw the rest of his belongings into his carry-all. He left her an impersonal message stating that he had to go to Starfleet Headquarters to conduct some unexpected business and that he would see her at the launching of the Enterprise. Then he left.
Beverly awoke with a smile. She felt wonderful. As the memories of last night washed over her. She arched her back and stretched. She hadn't felt this good in a long time. Bright sunlight shone through the window, no trace of last night's storm remaining. The bright day matched her mood.
Suddenly, she realized that she was alone in bed. What were they going to do? They couldn't just go back to being just friends. But, the difficulties of having a relationship with her captain were many. She felt an awkwardness, that she had not felt since she was teenager, come over her. She worried about what to say to him, how to approach him about this change in their relationship. Maybe she could just say nothing, but she doubted that Jean-Luc would allow her to get away with that.
She recalled the visit Jack had paid to her in her dreams, he had rid her of a terrible guilt. She loved Jack, always would, a small part of her would always belong to him. But now she was free to give her love to anyone she chose. Even Jean-Luc.
The thought of loving Jean-Luc and being loved by him was an alluring prospect.
*Does he love me? *
*God, I hope so,* she thought.
Beverly got out of bed, getting ready to start this glorious day. She saw Jean-Luc's clothing lying on the floor and smiled at the recollections. Was he wandering around the house naked? The thought enticed her.
After dressing, she headed downstairs, her heart beating rapidly in anticipation of finding Jean-Luc. She looked for him in the house and the vineyard, he was no where to be seen.
When she found the message from him, she frowned. Back to Starfleet? Why hadn't he told me himself? Why didn't he ask me to go with him?
Her happiness dimmed as she realized that Jean-Luc was no longer there with her, and that he might not want to be with her. Maybe he didn't have any feelings other than friendship for her and last night had been a mistake for him.